Ferns have been a part of our ecology since before the dinosaurs walked our earth (with the first fern fossil record from the early-carboniferous period, 358-298 million years ago) and can be found on almost every continent (except Antarctica). The numerous species of ferns we have present today are all descendants from one species that was able to out compete the emergence of flowering, seed bearing, plants. Their ability to live in the shadows of their competitors made them able to compete and be successful (their success in the shade depends on a protein called a neochrome which allows them to respond simultaneously to red and blue light in both the way that they grow and the way their photosynthetic elements organize themselves – most plants respond to only blue light (which has the most energy) but when the overarching plants have already used the majority of the blue light available, being able to respond to red light is important).
Because of their long and rich natural history, they have played a large role in various folklore and myths from around the globe and throughout time.
Maidenhair Fern is one very interesting species – it’s shape and appearance are truly unique with no other fern even closely resembling it and is one species of plant that is NOT grazed by White-tailed Deer, most likely due to the high toxicity of the plant.
This fern was once one of the most abundant in Southern Ontario, but has declined in the last couple of decades due to loss of appropriate habitat – preferring moist, rich deciduous forests. Here at Rondeau, the best place to see Maidenhair is on Spicebush Trail as it grows in large patches!
This living fossil is one of two species of gar we have in Ontario and we’re lucky enough to have both here in Rondeau Bay. This is the much more common species, the longnose gar (Lepisosteus oseus). This Latin name refers to its bony scales that cover the whole length of the fish. The Spotted Gar is the other and is much rarer, being found in only about 6 bodies of water in Ontario, 1 being our shallow bay. Only 500 of these uncommon fish have ever been caught in Ontario.
This fish is most commonly mistaken for a pike, it is commonly called a gar pike but that would be in fact incorrect because gars and pikes are their own separate families.
The body length may be up to 5 feet but the common size is much smaller.
The gar is found in quiet large bodies of water usually seen floating at the surface of the water mimicking a stick. They use this form of behaviour to catch their prey, they will float slowly towards the minnow or yellow perch and strike too fast for the prey to escape.
The longnose gar spawns in late spring or in early summer. They spawn in large schools in close formation in order to ensure fertilization of the eggs. The spawn will be deposited in shallow bays that are filled with submerged aquatic vegetation.
The Longnose Gar ranges from Northern Mexico to Southern Quebec, most commonly found in the deep Southern U.S. and anywhere along the Mississippi river.
There are bully birds that chase others away from feeders and birdbaths – Grackles and Blue Jays are repeat offenders – but there aren’t many that will take on a Red-bellied Woodpecker. His long, pointed bill makes him a master at fending off other birds.
This spring has been a great year for woodpeckers in general around Rondeau – especially the Red-bellied who has been seen at numerous feeders and backyards around the park!
You may occasionally see a Red-bellied Woodpecker flying quickly and erratically through the forest, abruptly changing directions, alighting for an instant and then immediately take off again – all while keeping up a quick chatter of calls. It’s thought that this is a type of play that probably helps young birds practice the evasive actions that they may one day need (Cornell Lab of Ornithology).
It’s nesting time, and with many birds that raise their young in the Rondeau area, we’ve been receiving many phone calls about baby birds who have fallen out of their nest. We love answering your questions, but here’s a key to let you know what to do if you find a baby bird on the ground:
July is almost upon us – and we’ve got some exciting events planned for all of you! From children’s programs to guided hikes to many special events! There’s definitely something for everyone, and we hope to see you all out and exploring Rondeau real soon.
Caitlin Sparks, one of Rondeau Provincial Park’s naturalists, says the park staff are excited to be welcoming birds and bird watchers for the May 3 kickoff of their “Festival of Flight.” The park’s spring migration festival continues to May 19. (Paul Nicholson/Special to QMI Agency)
Disappointed in my bid to add new warblers to my year list on a return to Rondeau Provincial Park, a cool day of birding in Kent County did however result in finding many other good species.
Caitlin Sparks, one of Rondeau’s Natural Heritage education specialists, confirmed warblers were generally a bit slow in arriving through April. “A contributing factor was the temperature. They’ll start to pour in now.”
While I hiked through the park, some birders even remarked on the slow development of apples and other plants.
There were good sightings of many birds that I expected to see such as hermit thrushes and Eastern towhees. There were also some new migrants moving in such as blue-grey gnatcatchers. Other seasonal sightings included a bluebird, brown thrasher, Sandhill cranes, and purple martins.
Any day of birding at Rondeau will have some nice surprises. A merlin perched in the sun on a dead tree. Other raptors in the park included a mature bald eagle and, of course, turkey vultures.
Maris Apse, who with Donald Pye led an Ontario Field Ornithologists’ field trip at Rondeau last weekend, was equally surprised about the warblers. “Even the total count of all birds was surprisingly low for the day.” Apse remarked to me.
Sparks and Emily Slavik, another of the park’s naturalists, are enthused about all of the daily programs that are running through to May 19 during the “Festival of Flight.” They range from the birder’s breakfast and lunch available every day at the Visitor Centre from 7 a.m. to the twice-daily hikes led by Reuven Martin.
If you have never tried bird watching and feel a bit daunted, you can join a Friday hike “for absolute beginners” led by Rondeau resident and great friend of the park, Ric McArthur.
All of the park staff have a tremendous, welcoming energy. “If you’ve never been to Rondeau, try us out,” Slavik said.
There is other good birding when you are in Kent County. You can check out the variety of waterfowl on Rondeau Bay or you can bird from the pier at Erieau. The Blenheim lagoons about 1 km. west of Blenheim are always fruitful.
This week at the Blenheim lagoons there were pectoral sandpipers, dunlin and other shorebirds, coots, many duck species, swallow species, plus good views of less common birds such as a horned grebe.
Regular entrance to Rondeau Provincial Park on Lake Erie is either $16 per day or by annual park pass. There is a small additional charge for some migration festival programs. For details, visit rondeauprovincialpark.ca or call the Visitor Centre at (519) 674-1768.
Access to the Blenheim lagoons is by permit only. To get a free permit call the Chatham-Kent municipal offices at (519) 676-5405.
Nature notes
An early morning Nature London-led hike through Westminster Ponds in south London will start at 6:30 a.m. Tuesday. The public is welcomed. There is no cost. Go south from Commissioners Rd. on Western Counties Rd. then turn left at the “T” intersection and meet in the gravel parking area. Visit naturelondon.com for other details.
The18th annual Optics Expo and sale will be hosted by Pelee Wings Nature Store just north of Point Pelee National Park May 10-11 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. It is an excellent chance to try binoculars and scopes from a dozen manufacturers. The store’s feeders also attract tremendous birds.
Enviro-Friends of Coldstream have planned a morning of nature hikes and a pancake breakfast Sunday at Coldstream Conservation Area off Marsh Lane. A bird hike is set for
8 a.m. and a wildflower hike is set for 10 a.m. Call (519) 666-0461 for more information.
Larkwire is a birdsong app that is useful and fun. Because it is interactive and customizable, you can focus on the songs of a particular set of species rather than listening to an entire uneditable collection of calls on CDs or checking one song at a time on a bird identification app or website. See larkwire.com
Thanks to a generous donation from a long time friend of the park, we were able to redesign our bird garden pond! This important water feature has gone through a few changes over the past few years (mainly due to a mischievous muskrat) but now we have settled on a design that we think will please both visitors and birds alike. Birds are attracted to the sound of running water, and we hope to draw some interesting species into our garden for your viewing pleasure.
So stop by the Visitor Centre (Open every Thursday – Sunday in April from 10-4) and relax by our birding window and enjoy the show!
We have exciting news! After a long process, Rondeau Provincial Park is happy to announce the hiring of Caitlin Sparks as the Park Interpreter. As many of you know, Caitlin has been with us for 4 years now and has filled a variety of roles.
Caitlin started off at the Rondeau Visitor Centre as a hard working summer student where she developed and delivered an abundance of excellent educational programs. As a graduate from Laurier/Nipissing’s Concurrent Education program she brings a plethora of knowledge on teaching and developing educational and interactive lessons for all ages. Caitlin brings a positive attitude and a great working knowledge of the park.
We are pleased the Caitlin will be with us for the long term in this role and wish her success in her new endeavour!
